Are you looking to get out of the city for awhile this summer, but don’t really know where you and the family would like to head off to? Not in the market for going abroad, but still want to do something? There are a lot of fun, family-friendly things that you can do this summer that gets you out of the city, and gets you and yours a bit of exercise while you’re at it. Why not try a cycling holiday, as outlined in this article?

Getting Outside

Cycling holidays are a great option for the whole family as they are something that almost everyone can do, without much fuss. They allow you to get back to nature, and cycle through landscapes and villages you wouldn’t normally get to experience up close and personal like you will on the seat of a bike. The great outdoors can be a bit fickle though, so making sure you pack the right gear for the varying weathers you might experience is vital. Also take into consideration the location you’re going to go cycling in – flip flops and sandals may not be ideal for mountainous terrains and the like! You wouldn’t want your trip hampered by being unprepared for the weather, so make a list and consider all eventualities. Nothing brings down a great day like getting caught in a chilly rain with no waterproofs!

Locations

There are a lot of fantastic locations for cycling throughout the UK that offer a variety of challenges from mild to difficult. Many of the national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty offer gorgeous views and landscapes perfect for exploring by bicycle. Imagine winding through small, cobbled villages and stopping at tiny country pubs to mix with the locals while sampling some of the local fare. These are a few of the things you can experience when you cycle through places such as Yorkshire, the Peak District or the Cotswolds.

Where to Stay?

Cycling holidays usually means being out in the midst of the countryside, surrounded by rolling fields dotted with cows and sheep, and passing by tiny cottages with roses creeping up the sides of the house. If you’re stuck for a place to stay, why not check out some of the fantastic cottage lettings that are available out in the countryside in places such as Yorkshire or the Cotswolds and stay in rustic little homes surrounded by nature, the ideal place to return to for a cuppa at the end of a long day of cycling. The perfect way to spend your time in the country with the family.

Overall, cycling holidays are both enjoyable and a fantastic experience for the whole family, allowing you to spend time together taking in gorgeous scenery and villages while getting some exercise as well. The UK has some gorgeous opportunities for cycling holidays ranging from the very tip of Land’s End in Cornwall, all the way to John O’Groats in Scotland. Maybe that’s an idea for your next cycling challenge right there!

It almost comes as a given that most people will visit London, England at some point in their lives and it’s no wonder – with such a huge city full of things to see and do, it’s easy to see why so many people covet this fantastic destination. Although London can be fairly expensive to visit, it is also absolutely chock full of amazing free things as well which helps you go easy on your budget so you can save the pounds and spend them on other things! Here we look at a couple of the top free attractions in London that will keep you coming back for more.

Museums

The museums in London are all one hundred percent free. It can be a bit surprising initially, but every museum is free, but with the option to leave a donation if so desired. The museums in London are fantastic and absolutely full of amazing artefacts, information and history so they aren’t to be missed. The top three London museums that are must do’s are The British Museum – home to fascinating things such as the Rosetta Stone and other artefacts from around the world as far flung as China and Messapotamia. The Imperial War Museum is an absolute must for the WWII history buff, hosting an assortment of weaponry, vehicles and other bits and bobs from the war as well as an entire floor dedicated to the history and horrors of the Holocaust. Finally, the Museum of London is a museum dedicated to the whole, rich history of the City of London, from its infancy as a Roman settlement to present day you can find information on things such as the Black Plague and the Great Fire and the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. These three alone will leave you full of information about this varied and diverse city and beyond.

The Walking Tour

This is another freebie that you can take advantage of and shows you the main attractions that London is so well known for. From Trafalgar Square, you can walk down The Mall towards Buckingham Palace where you can stop off and see the changing of the guard on certain days. If not, you can continue on through St James’ Park and up towards Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, also near Westminster Abbey, and then cross the Westminster bridge to the London Eye. The Tower Bridge and Tower of London are nearby, but not within walking distance, but getting there is just a short trip on the Underground. Another great walk is along the canal side and through the fantastic mazes of shops in both Covent Garden and Camden Town, featuring amazing food stalls and quirky shops and market stalls as well where you can find intriguing and interesting wares for sale.

Parks and Other Things

London is home to many wide open, and green spaces all along the Thames and beyond which makes finding your own piece of London fairly straightforward and easy. Greenwich is another perfect place to stroll along tree lined avenues and take a walk up to the Observatory (which is sadly not free to enter), to see the Prime Meridian of the World and take advantage of this great photo opportunity!

As you can see, there are a lot of things to see and do in London that will be easy for your pocket and your bank account, so take note of these and other great free experiences. After you’ve saved some money, you can make your trip more memorable, by booking a good hotel in London so you can relax after visiting every corner of the city.

New York is one of the most famous cities in the World, the home of the U.S. finance industry, Broadway, the birthplace of hip-hop and a city that has featured in more films and TV programmes than any other. Visiting New York can be a hectic affair as the city is not only jam-packed with things to do and see, but the city is chaotic from dusk till dawn, there is a reason they call it the city that doesn’t sleep. If you are planning to visit New York in the near future then you’ll need to plan your time well, to help you do so here are my top 4 things to do in the Big Apple.

Statue of Liberty

Nobody should visit New York without taking a trip to its most iconic landmark, the Statue of Liberty. Set out in New York Harbour’s Liberty Island, this enormous sculpture was given to the United States as a gift by the French and stands as a beacon of liberty and freedom. To get there you’ll need to take a short boat ride to the foot of the sculpture before you can make the ascent up the 354 to the crown of the statue where you’ll be treated to the greatest views that exist of the New York skyline.

Transport

In any other city in the World this wouldn’t sound too exciting but taking transport in New York isn’t like other cities. The yellow cabs that roam around New York have become synonymous with the city and in the main, the drivers are knowledgable and entertaining. The New York subway system is another great way to travel, it connects all of the boroughs in the city and is the perfect place to people-watch, New York is a smorgasbord of cultures and styles and all of it can be witnessed on the subway. If you’re transferring from the airport then I’d recommend you consider a private car service rather than public transport, but once in the city then you should look to ride on these iconic modes of travelling.

Catch Some Sports

New York is the perfect place to watch some U.S. sport in buzzing stadiums and arenas with awesome atmospheres. Baseball, Hockey, Football and Basketball all have their place in this town and New York’s teams are some of the most famous in sport. Whether you go to see the Yankees, the Giants, the Brooklyn Nets or the Knicks you can be guaranteed of a night filled with great sporting action and full blown razzmatazz, a great way to spend an evening.

Ground Zero Tour

When New York’s famous World Trade Center Towers were attacked in 2001, the attack left an indelible print on the city that will never be forgotten. To commemorate the lives that were lost that day, the remaining site of the towers has been turned into a memorial for what happened on 9/11. Plaques which each of the names of the lives that were lost that day decorate the site and taking a tour will help you better understand the scale of the attacks and how the resilient city dealt with them and bounced back. A sad yet inspiring and educational tour.

Many people discount Wales when it comes to thinking about beach holidays, for some reason the country sadly conjures up an appearance of dreary towns and rainy weather. Now whilst the latter of those appearances may be somewhat true, the word dreary should never be used for towns in Wales and less still for it’s seaside resorts. Seaside holidays these days are more likely to be beers in Ibiza than a cup of tea in Bangor but for an altogether new and exciting experience you should start to consider spending some time on the Welsh coast, and here are our favourite locations.

Llandudno

The northern seaside town of Llandudno has long been considered Wales’ most popular resort, with the Irish sea on both sides and a town dedicated to beach life and tourism, it’s easy to see why. In the 70’s and the 80’s Llandudno had its peak regarding tourism and struggled throughout the 90’s. Since this low point the town has adapted and now offers not only a classic British seaside holiday but also plenty of beach and water activities from sailing, surfing, sand boarding in the dunes or take a jet-ski out into the Irish Sea. For a weekend of adventure and some good old fashioned seaside fun in a classic resort then Llandudno is the place for you.

Tenby

Tenby is set in the beautiful county of Pembrokeshire, a country that is surrounded by the sea on 3 sides. The town of Tenby sits on one of those sides and offers visitors a fantastic seaside experience on Wales’ most beautiful coastline. There is plenty to do here for families and couples alike, if you have children then there is 2 theme parks in close proximity to the sea and there is even a waterpark, a great place for the family to spend a day of fun of the weather isn’t to your liking. Barfundle beach is the finest beach in Tenby and if the weather is fine the I suggest you head there and for those looking for some culture then there are several coastal walks, castles and museums for you to visit. A visit to Tenby is perfect for a weekend away in a great seaside resort.

Barmouth

The town of Barmouth is a small and tranquil place in Gwynedd in north-western Wales, the town is exactly notorious for seaside holidays and that is where it’s charm lies. Largely untouched by the tourist industry, Barmouth is perfect for those looking to get away from it all and spend some time by the sea. You won’t find donkey rides or punch and judy shows on these beaches, they offer instead breezy walks along the coast and through the dunes, a quaint town with lots of charming shops and cafes for you to relax in and watch the World go by. Not too far from Barmouth is vast countryside and if you feel like taking a break from the coast then you can spend a day walking through some beautiful Welsh scenery. For this wishing to relax in peace then Barmouth is for you.

The Brecon Beacons in south wales is a sprawling mountain range that has become a popular location for those seeking out adventure and a holiday filled with activities in a beautiful setting. That, is exactly what the Beacons offers it’s visitors, a beautiful setting, the lush greenery of these rugged mountains and the freshwater rivers flowing through the cracks provides a stunning backdrop to your adventures. If you are planning on a trip to the Brecon Beacons or hadn’t considered it yet then here the best activities that you can do on a stay in the mountains.

Hangliding

For those looking for some that’s packed with adrenaline them hand gliding could well be the thing for you, especially when it means that you’ll be sailing over the peaks of the Beacons. You’ll set off from a flat grassy platform and, providing the wind is right, then take off into the open-air before ascending with the mountains. If you are confident enough you can take your craft over 3 miles into the sky and over some pilots have been know to travel over 100-metres before landing. There is an excellent company here that offers full training and assistance before you go up-up and away, tandem flights are available for those lacking in confidence or ability.

Kayaking

The Brecon Beacons has vast reservoirs, calm canals and rapid waters with many waterfalls and rapids, all perfect for a spot of kayaking. There is something for all abilities in the Beacons if you wish to kayak, for the beginners you can start out on the tranquil reservoir to learn your craft, for those a little more confident, the white water may be for you, the Beacons has Grade 1-6 waterfalls, perfect for those looking for a thrill.

Horse-Riding

With over 600-miles of trails and tracks the Brecon Beacons is the best place in Wales to go for a horse-ride. There are 3 horse-riding centres through the region all offering something for all abilities whether you prefer a short trek or something a little more heart-racing then you can fins it all here. During your trek you will be able to experience the beauty of the Beacons and trot through streams, marshlands and through rocky passes.

Hiking

A trip to the Beacons would not be complete without hiking at least part of it, perhaps you already walk and climb well and you want to take on one of the 6 peaks or ‘Beacons’. If strenuous activity isn’t quite your thing then there are countless paths and trails carved out throughout the region for you to calmly amble along at your own pace. It would be almost rude to visit a place as beautiful as the and not take some time to explore it, you’ll also miss out on some photo opportunities that simply don’t exist from a distance. If you want to find out which walks are available then

Unfortunately, when one considers a holiday in Wales the thought is met with images of sitting in a Caravan in a dull field with rain pitter-pattering off the roof, this is however could not be farther from the truth. Wales is a vast and rugged landscape of lush green plains, climbing mountains and despite it’s meteorological disadvantage, some of the most photogenic coastline on the British Isles. If you have discounted Wales as an option for places that you would like to visit then I would urge you to change your mind and here are 3 locations that may help you in doing so.

Snowdonia

Wales’ first declared National Park is Snowdonia, a huge area of land with a mountain range featuring the biggest peak in Wales, Mount Snowdon. More than 6 million people flock to Snowdonia each year to walk it’s many peaks, to take part in climbing an adventure activities or simply to bathe in the beauty of it’s lands and spend some time away to relax. The national park features a mixture of colours, plants and scenery, there are rivers flowing through the area, fresh springs on higher lands, waterfalls, lakes, mountains large and small with freely roaming animals adding to the picture. Snowdonia is beautiful and packed with adventure.

Brecon Beacons

Another of Wales’ mountain ranges is the Brecon Beacons and it makes as a fantastic place for an active weekend away. There are 6 main peaks in the Beacons and within them is harsh terrain and plenty of opportunities for adventure. Cycling, climbing, nature walks, horse-riding trails are all on offer here along with more heart-pumping activities such as paragliding, rafting and abseiling for it’s visitors and whatever type of sport you enjoy, you can do it here in the Brecon Beacons amongst some of the UK’s finest landscapes. Tourism is steady in these area which is perfect for visitors as many of the activities here are rare overcrowded and the current level of tourism allows the companies that offer the activities to continue doing so. If an active weekend is what you’re searching for then this is the place for you.

Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire is one of Wales’ most beautiful locations, bordered by the sea on 3-sides this south western county houses the UK’s only coastal national park. This is a busy town that has become somewhat popular in Wales for it’s high quality beaches, in 2011 alone the region had 39 beaches recommended for Blue Flag awards. Whilst the region may not have the weather for tourists to laze on the beaches topping-up tans that should take nothing away from the beauty of these sandy beaches against the rugged coast. There are several places that you can stay along the coast like St Davids, Milford Haven or Trenby, all busy little towns that have plenty of places of interest, scenic walks and plenty of places to stop for a drink. If this was the Caribbean then Pembrokeshire would be one of the most visited locations in the World.

Aurora Borealis or the Northern Lights is truly one of our planet’s most magical and awesome events that creates a multi-coloured, dancing light show in the sky. This amazing feat of nature occurs when the sun’s emits electrically charged particles and as they enter the Earth’s atmosphere at either magnetic North or South they emit colourful displays and bounce around the atmosphere creating a spectacular light show that cannot be seen anywhere else in the World. The most common places to catch the Northern Lights is as close as possible to the Arctic Circle, countries such as Norway, Finland, Sweden, Iceland and Canada have several locations where you can observe the light show, and somewhat surprisingly, there are many areas of Scotland where you can see the effervescent colours dancing about the sky and here is how.

When?

Due to the timing of the lights and the necessity for darkness to observe them, the best time to witness Aurora in Scotland is during the Winter months and especially after the clocks have changed. During this time any areas of Scotland only see about 7-8 hours of sunlight per day meaning that during those 16 hours of darkness you have plenty of time to try to catch the splendour of the ‘lights’. Aurora watch UK deem the best time to witness activity in Scotland is in early December at around 11pm when the sky is at it’s darkest, the frequency of the lights changes depending on a number of environmental factors but if you want to see Aurora then Winter in Scotland is a must.

Where?

Naturally the further north that you are, the better chance that you have of seeing the spectacle, the reason being is that the further north that you are, the closer you are to the magnetic pole which is where the electric particles gather. The next consideration that you need to have when seeing the Northern Lights is that you ensure that you are in a location with little to no light pollution. If you are in a big city or well lit town then it is unlikely that you are going to see anything as the first things that your eyes will notice are the artificial lights in the sky. In the past few years these have been the best places in Scotland to see the light show.

Caithness

At the far northern coast of Scotland, a vast area that offers miles and miles of untouched land that has no light pollution whatsoever, perfect for Aurora spotting.

Aberdeen

Whilst Aberdeen may be on the same latitude as regions in Norway and Iceland, this is the one of the few places in Scotland that it isn’t right up in the North where you can see one of the fullest displays of Aurora. Perfect for tourists as Aberdeen is a fully functioning and busy city packed with accommodation and things to do.

Galloway Forest Park

This is the only ‘dark sky park’ in Scotland and one of only a handful in Europe, the park is dedicated to stargazing and of course, catching the dancing lights of Aurora, if you are truly dedicated to all things in the sky then this is the perfect place for you, hire a tent or rent a cabin and you will be guaranteed the darkest and most unobstructed view to the sky that you could wish for.

Often when people think of visiting Scotland they think of cities such as Glasgow, Edinburgh and of places like Ben Nevis and perhaps Loch Lomond in search of the elusive ‘Nessie’ . Few however consider trekking further north to see the true splendour and grit of the northern Scottish highlands, I would encourage anyone visiting Scotland to travel North up to the unspoiled and tranquil islands of the Orkney’s, or to the quaint island of Stornoway. This area of Scotland is unlike the rest of the country and is equally as influenced by Scandinavia as it is by Scottish culture. When you head up to the far reaches of Scotland there are some things that you will need to bear in mind and here are some tips to help you survive.

Temperature

Let it be known that this is a very cold part of the World, the average annual temperature is a bristling 4 degrees and in the blissful Summer months most of these areas will reach a a high of just 13 degrees, not exactly sunbathing weather. Before you go it is imperative that you pack warm and insulated clothing and layer-up, the last thing that you need is for your fun to be spoiled by a touch of frostbite because you were poorly prepared. The average probability of rain or snow in these regions is around the 50% mark and if you were to remove July and August from the equation then the figure sits at just above 68% which I’m sure you’ll agree means that precipitation is somewhat likely. To combat this, make sure that those warm clothes you’ve packed come also feature some waterproof boots and clothing. Don’t let the weather put you off this stunning part of the World as when that sunshine illuminates the mountains and the mist ascends to display stark lands filled with Heather and Deer, it will be worth living through the perpetual rain that preceded it.

Locals

The locals in these regions are not entirely remote, however they have lived essentially apart from modern culture and society for a long time and as such have an altogether different way of doing things. Don’t expect super-fast broadband, perfect infrastructure for travel on regular ATM’s as such luxuries don’t always exist in these parts, and nor do the locals want them to. It is important that you try your best to blend in to this way of life and relax into a different manner of doing things. Something else to watch out for here is the accent, the dialect up here is thick and throaty and even those among you who can speak perfect English may find the locals a little difficult to understand. To be surprised when you don’t understand, either nod and agree regardless or simply ask them to repeat themselves, they are used to this from tourists and will not be offended at all.

Animal Life

Such is the vast and open landscape of northern Scotland animals roam freely and if anything look at us as foreigners or strange beings as opposed to the other way around. Be prepared, especially if you are driving, for random stops to allow a herd of cows to pass, or several sheep casually strolling in the road and blocking your path. The best way to approach this is with calm, don’t attempt to move them by beeping your horn or anything crazy like that, part of settling into this new land is accepting things such as these so just relax and let them pass.

Scotland’s capital Edinburgh is a fantastic city, not only does to have an ancient Celtic charm with a dominant castle and traditional streets but Edinburgh also offers it’s guests and residents a charming city that feels far smaller and more relaxed that it actually is and a countryside setting that few cities can rival. If you are looking for a new experience this Summer then I implore you to make the trip to Edinburgh this August for it’s World famous Fringe festival. The Fringe is a comedy and arts festival that takes place across the whole city for the duration of August and here is exactly why you should be going this year.

Locations

Now when I say that this festival takes place across the entire city, that is exactly what I mean. There are so many comedy and drama shows taking place daily that there simply aren’t enough theatres and playhouses to host them all, to resolve this issue the festivals finds every and any location that it can to put on shows. These location could well be disused offices, the back room in a bar, the basement of a library or the underbelly of a court room, some of the places that I have visited to see a stand up show have been incredible and on any normal day, utterly unreachable. This festival is truly unlike any other.

Price

The festival attracts many of the World’s leading stand-up comics and performers and their shows cost a similar price to any usual gig of theirs. However, this festival is populated by over 1,000 comedians and performers who are trying to cut their teeth in the industry and they know that the fringe is the best place to do it. If you just want to experience different types of comedy and performance the head to the ticket booth by Waverley station each morning and just see what is on that day, very often you can pic up gig tickets for as little as £6 per person and who knows, you may end up witnessing the next Jack Dee, Billy Connelly or Kevin Bridges.

Streets are Alive

One of the best parts of the festival is the incredible activity that takes place on the streets, naturally the streets are packed with more people than usual which gives the city a super vibrant feel. Tourists and residents aren’t the only ones in the streets however as many street performers put on daily shows for the masses. The performances range from comedy, magic, circus type shows and daredevil acts. These performances are technically free to all but it is worth noting that these guys and girls don’t get paid for their work and when they come around at the end, the right thing to do is throw a bit of money in their hat. Performances like these only help to give the whole city that true festival feeling and ensure that the streets stay busy and raucous throughout the day.

Northern Ireland’s capital Belfast has witnessed a troubled 20th century following political and religious struggles and captured the World’s attention for all of the wrong reasons. The good news is that the city has largely recovered from these dark days and it is now a fantastic city to visit and to discover Northern Ireland. If you’ve previously had fears about visiting Belfast then you can confidently put these fears to one side and here are some of the best activities to do in the Northern Irish capital.

Ulster Museum

Belfast’s Ulster Museum is a museum that pays homage to over 9,000 years of Irish history, both the north and the south. The museum is situated in the grounds of the vast botanic gardens which cover over 8,000 square acres of land. The museum not only features pieces of Irish history but also artefacts from the Spanish Armada and other international pieces. The Irish history exhibits are a mixture of fine art, architectural history, history of Irish industry and a whole host of photographic, audio and visual exhibits for visitors to learn more about this country’s past.

Visit the Murals

During the infamous ‘troubles’ in Ireland which resulted in a separation of the country and an incredible amount of bloodshed as war was waged between separatist groups and the religious divide. During these times it was common for huge murals to be painted on the sides of houses often as a memorial for people who had been killed or messages of hopes of peace or even murals that acted as a call to arms. These days you are able to take tours around these fantastic pieces of art that still adorn many walls and get a glimpse into what these difficult times were like for those who lived through it.

Belfast Zoo

Belfast’s Zoo is set in a beautifully tranquil setting on the grassy Cavehill slope, the environment is perfect for animals as they are away from noise pollution and general urban development. The zoo has been widely praised not just for it’s location but also for the fact that the large majority of it’s 140 species of animals are endangered in their natural habitat. The zoo works tirelessly on conservation projects and has been something of a leader when it comes to regenerating particular animal species such as kangaroos. The zoo holds over 1,200 animals and is the perfect day out during your time in Belfast.

Belfast Castle

Also on the large Cavehill slope sits Belfast’s castle, a 150 year-old castle that offers the most spectacular unobstructed views of the city. Whilst this castle may not be as old as many other castles in big cities such as Edinburgh, the original castle was located in the town and was burned down in 1508, it is still an incredible piece of architecture and rich in history. There is a visitor centre and an antique shop at the castle and there are daily tours, I’d recommend the tour as this way you will have the best opportunity to learn about the history of this great building.

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